iNDemand only controls digital cable, DirecTV and Dish program their own Center Ice packages and have been doing so long before Sports iNDemand debuted. They do not "own" Center Ice, they just package it and distribute it on behalf of their affiliated digital cable systems. There is a minimum amount that goes to the NHL, usually 50% of the suggested retail price.

Seems like it may be impossible for everyone to get free NHL CI given the agreements w/the service providers.

However, the agreements wouldn't be an issue for those who subscribed to NHL Gamecenter and streamed through Apple TV, Roku, etc. They have bettter be giving some serious discounts or give free NHL Gamecenter for past customers. Would make all the sense in the world to mend fences. Streaming through Gamecenter has had its quirks through the years, anyways, so this would be a good time to reward loyal customers.

Seems like it may be impossible for everyone to get free NHL CI given the agreements w/the service providers.

However, the agreements wouldn't be an issue for those who subscribed to NHL Gamecenter and streamed through Apple TV, Roku, etc. They have bettter be giving some serious discounts or give free NHL Gamecenter for past customers. Would make all the sense in the world to mend fences. Streaming through Gamecenter has had its quirks through the years, anyways, so this would be a good time to reward loyal customers.

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I'm sorry. What fences need to be mended? They have a product. It wasn't available for a while. Now it is. Did they take your money and run with it? Did they make a promise to you they did not keep?

From what I know of hockey, they are doing you all a favor by not playing the early season games. Go right to the playoffs. That is the best hockey anyway.

I'm sorry. What fences need to be mended? They have a product. It wasn't available for a while. Now it is. Did they take your money and run with it? Did they make a promise to you they did not keep?

From what I know of hockey, they are doing you all a favor by not playing the early season games. Go right to the playoffs. That is the best hockey anyway.

But, they do not owe you anything at all.

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Tony, you are surely entitled to your opinion, but I would respectfully disagree to it. As much as I love sports, they are in a sense breaking promises by holding the fans who support them hostage by not being able to come to terms and striking/locking out, and not putting a product on the ice.

I'm probably as free market as anyone on this board, but it was not sound business sense for the one sport that depends on attendance for revenue to take half of the year off. Leadership between Bettman and Fehr was lacking to say the least. I'll probably cancel NHL Gamecenter to show my displeasure over how this labor dispute was handled, but giving free Gamecenter could have a positive impact for some on how the game is received back in the public's eyes.

I am a big, displaced Calgary Flames fan and to see any of their games or virtually any Canadian team on TV down here, Center Ice is the only TV option.

That being said though, I will not pay for the package this year, for the first time since I subscribed to Directv. I don't expect it to be free, it is a business after all, but I don't want to pay for what will most likely be a very compressed season with a sub-standard level of performance ( I think most avid NBA fans felt that way about their Lockout shortened season).

I'll listen to any deals they may offer when I cancel, but most likely, I will take this season off from CI and will be back next year for a full season of hockey.

If Bettman and the BOG wanted the NHLCI to be free this season -it would be free.

Bettman and the NHL has control of the NHLCI. They can reduce the price to 99 cents if they wanted.

I doubt the NHL will do anything until they see how many subs start cancelling.If the subs don't cancel,the NHL probably will not do anything except a two week free view of NHLCI to the begin the season.

Well, at the very least, regardless what they charge I hope they FINALLY add the HD versions of the Canadian RSN's to the Center Ice package. If I watch another Calgary or Edmonton game in fuzzy SD I think I may go blind.

If Bettman and the BOG wanted the NHLCI to be free this season -it would be free.

Bettman and the NHL has control of the NHLCI. They can reduce the price to 99 cents if they wanted.

I doubt the NHL will do anything until they see how many subs start cancelling.If the subs don't cancel,the NHL probably will not do anything except a two week free view of NHLCI to the begin the season.